AB1608 THE EFFECT OF REMOTE AND FACE-TO-FACE PREVENTIVE REHABILITATION ON THE THICKNESS OF THE MUSCLES AROUND THE SPINE
Authors: Y. Özel Asliyüce, O. Ulger
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> In these days when it is extremely important to use resources efficiently, ways to reduce the cost caused by low back and neck pain are sought. Investigating the architectural features of the muscles around the spine is also an important part of this search [1]. It is a rational approach to prevent spinal problems before they occur, rather than to treat them. In addition, it is very important for the prevention of spinal health that these approaches can be offered at low cost in pandemic conditions and disadvantageous situations such as settlements in rural areas. <h3>Objectives</h3> This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of remote and face-to-face spinal stabilization exercises on the thickness and activation of the muscles around the spine in asymptomatic desk-based office workers. <h3>Methods</h3> Individuals between the ages of 18-55 who did not have chronic low back and neck pain were included in the study. While the face-to-face group exercised under the supervision of a physiotherapist, the telerehabilitation (TR) group exercised with video conferencing and asynchronous video recordings. Both groups performed progressive spinal stabilization exercises 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The thickness of the Internal Oblique, External Oblique, Sternocleidomastoideus and Upper Trapezius muscles at rest, and the thickness of the Transversus Abdominis (TrA) at rest and during contraction were measured with portable ultrasound (Sonostar, China) (Image 1). TrA activation was measured with a stabilizer. Compliance with exercise was evaluated with an exercise diary. <h3>Results</h3> 24 individuals, 12 in the face-to-face group and 12 in the TR group, with a mean age of 28.41(5.94) participated in the study. Age, gender distribution, and baseline values for muscles were similar between the groups (p&gt;0.05). In both groups, right and left TrA resting and contraction, Internal Oblique thicknesses were increased (p&lt;0.05). It was found that the level of activation of the TrA muscle, the thickness change during contraction, and the thickness of the internal oblique muscle developed more in the face-to-face group. In the TR group, on the other hand, an increase in Upper Trapezius thickness was observed (p&lt;0.05) However, there was no significant increase in TrA activation level in this group. <h3>Conclusion</h3> According to preliminary results face-to-face exercise further improves the thickness, activation, and contraction amount of deep stabilizer muscles. TR, on the other hand, caused positive developments in the deep muscles, but also in the upper Trapezius muscle, which is the superficial muscle. The reason for this situation may be postural compensations that occur during remote exercise [2]. As a result, both methods cause an increase in muscle thickness around the spine. However, if possible, supervision during exercises that require intense attention, such as stabilization exercises, can increase efficiency. In addition, further studies on compensations that may occur during exercise through TR may be instructive. <h3>References</h3> [1] Wong, A.Y., et al., Do various baseline characteristics of transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus predict clinical outcomes in nonspecific low back pain? A systematic review. Pain, 2013. 154(12): p. 2589-2602. [2] Beit Yosef, A., et al., Perceived feasibility of an occupation-based telerehabilitation intervention for older adults with chronic health conditions in Israel. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2022: p. 15691861221080311. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> This study supported by TUBITAK with the project number 121S142. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.